3 
wings with distinct S-shape to trailing edge of wing formed by 
"bulging" secondaries, (hence 'arm' of wing rather broad), entire 
underside of wings appearing white at distance (but Indistinct 
barring on all of underside of wings visible when directly overhead 
at close range) and distinct broad dark ear-covert patch. 
Sparrowhawk. Accipiter nisus 
One arriving off the sea, Mocha, 9th. 
Shikra Accipiter- badius 
A pair regularly calling with at least one individual collecting 
sticks and adding them to a partially constructed nest in woodland 
near Hajja, 13th. The first recorded nest in the YAR, though there 
are two previous firm indications that breeding occurs. 
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax 
An active nest, with a bird incubating and Its mate in close 
attendance, in a large tree in Wadi Sharas, near Hajja (per 
N.J. Redman) is only the second proven breeding record. Brooks et_ 
al. (1987) made no mention of its occurrence on the Tiharaah though 
observations on its eastern fringe in spring are mentioned by 
Cornwallis and Porter (1982) and it has been recorded in the drier 
western section, both in spring - a pair observed by RM - and autumn 
(OSME Expedition data) . 
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 
A flock of seven between Az Zaydiyah and Al Qanawis, 12th; two at 
Ma'rib, 16th, (G. Groh, P. Rathbone). 
Saker Falco cherrug 
One at Ta'lzz marsh, 7th. The first April record. 
Philby's Rock Partridge Alectoris philbyi 
Three (including a pair) near Qaratil (between Sana'a jnd Shibam) on 
4th, five at the summit ( 3,666 metres) and 15 lower down (c.2,750 
metres) on Jabal an Nabl Shu'ayb, 5th. Intermittent territorial 
calling noted between 0800 and 0815 hours at the first locality and 
between 1240 and 1310 hours at the second. Two different alarm 
calls (the second perhaps a normal flight call also) were noted when 
birds were flushed - a hysterical "cha-cha-cha-cha-...", very 
rapidly repeated 15-20 times and a loud squealing "wheee" with a 
strong emphasis on the last part of the note, lasting about a 
second, but followed by the same note repeated almost Immediately. 
This call recalled the screaming of a falcon or a captured hare 
Lepus sp. Both calls were delivered in flight, the second 
continuously for the duration of a long downward flight. 
